When Adam and Eve hid from God, it merely proved they no longer had a heart for Him. The world has been running and hiding ever since—with a loving God still pursuing and pointing out that our pitiful fig leaves covering our spiritual nakedness can never do what only the Savior’s blood can—blot out our sins and give us new hearts. And what wonderful changes God makes in lives that are humble and open to His love.

A NEW HEART

“A new heart also will I give you…” (Ezekiel 36:26). This spiritual heart transplant lasts forever. That “new heart” is wedded to the heart of Jesus – and the new “spirit” is infused and controlled by the Holy Spirit. No wonder then, that God describes us as new creations living new lives to His credit and glory (II Corinthians 5:17). However, there is a cost to nourishing such a privilege of walking in “first love” with the Creator and Sustainer of the universe – Jesus Christ. The following five simple points can serve as barometers to see if our love for the Lord is as hot as we would like to think.

A HEART THAT BURNS

“Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us…?” (Luke 24:32) To walk with Jesus is to have a heart that burns with a sense of His presence. The world is aflame with material lust. May you and I ask the Holy Spirit to give us such a pure, burning heart for Jesus that it will make us want more of Him than the world wants of its false gods and pleasures.

A HEART THAT YEARNS

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1). Have you ever seen a deer, nostrils quivering, panting for water? That is the kind of thirst that will not—cannot—be denied. Do I yearn for the long drink daily—a quiet time alone with God—and shorter drinks and even sips throughout the day and waking moments of the night as I train my thoughts to turn often to the Lord?

A HEART THAT LEARNS

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me…” (Matthew 11:29). There are countless books everywhere, and human words hang like dust particles in the air. But there is only one Bible—the Word of God containing the mind of God so that we can be filled with the thoughts of God. How much time DAILY do you spend digging out the treasures of His Word? How often do you take time to memorize and retain those scriptures that are especially precious to you?

A HEART THAT DISCERNS

“That you may approve things that are excellent…” (Philippians 1:10). For the child of God, the big problem is not discerning between good and actual evil but between the “good” and the “excellent.” To maintain “first love” for Jesus is to constantly take inventory of priorities so that time is not wasted on merely the “good” that has little or no significance for eternity.

A HEART THAT TURNS

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19). Having a “first love” walk with the Lord means maintaining a transparent conscience. It is possible to develop such a sensitive relationship with the Holy Spirit that we will be aware when we grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30) and immediately repent. And a heart that is quick in turning from sin will continue burning, yearning, learning and discerning in the ways and wonders of God!

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras